After that dizzy night, five days have horribly passed. The effects from the medicine were too great as my body was not used to it, so it was treated as an overdose rather than a disease.
Although for a couple of days I was only able to sleep through the whole day, the rest was spent either vomiting or moaning in pain and cold, even if it was all psychological just like the doctor had mentioned several times.
Today the pain had finally subsided and I was finally in the mood to eat something, although my stomach could only fit a soup, or else I would vomit whatever I ingested after it.
"Is the soup to your liking? It was made with the carrots and potatoes being planted in the Castle's farm. As per order of the doctor, the chef also added some Lyche petals to ease your nausea."
As she always used to, Marina still remains as attentive and caring as ever, even remembering my hate for cabbage and cauliflower, thus not adding them.
"It is delicious, but my memory seems to be failing. Did we always have a farm?" At least in my past life I never saw such thing or even heard about it.
I also remember wandering around the whole castle and still nothing comes to mind.
"Even I do not know much about it as I am merely your maid, but if it does exist, I believe we should use it as much as we can."
She may not be wrong, but even then it feels too strange. The Lyche flowers are planted and last the whole year in the gardens, but I never heard about a farm.
Naturally, the products we have should come either from a supplier or from the taxes imposed on the commoners that cannot pay with coin. It feels too strange having us be our own suppliers... Did something change in such little time?
"Oh yes, I almost forgot." The maid starts as she collects my plate and the clutery, placing everything in a silver tray. "Your brothers and his Highness will come visit you soon. They have told me to prepare you as well."
"Why would I need to prepare myself for my own family?"
"W—Well, that may be the case, but his Highness himself has said that—"
I promptly stop her, raising my hand. No words were needed, as it should, but something still seems wrong. Bending my will to father seems wrong, after he had shown me his true emotions he doesn't deserve me to obey him, but that would only cause harm to my dear maid.
"...Just pick something simple and comfortable. Not too hot as my blankets are already enough."
"Understood, Her Benevolence, Lady Anneliese."
Too stiff. Her answer to my order was too stiff. Even if I have my status in regard, although that should be the perfect response to any of my commands, we are comfortable enough with each other to not need such lengthy titles.
She must have noticed something, by the door, it must be slightly open. It can only be that, but if I turn my head too much they will find out I noticed them.
"They should be ashamed of themselves." As I mutter in vain, Marina has finally chosen one of the many dresses in my closet. A light blue summer dress, not frilly enough to hinder my movement on the bed or make me uncomfortable, but with enough cloth to cover my skin. The skirt was almost transparent, I could barely tell it existed, but somehow it still had enough material to cover my legs and remain opaque.
After being dressed, I sit on my bed, resting my spine on the pillow. A couple seconds later and several knocks sound at the door, barely waiting or pretending they were not spying on us. Marina opens the door, bowing as honorably as her body allowed while the guests entered.
My brothers came visiting on their casual clothing, however, father was dressed in his royal crimson attire.
On his crimson long coat were adorned jewels of conquest, given to him by his father — and my grandfather, the former King— for the countless battles and victories he had. That alone would have been enough to intimidate many, but together with his dark red cape, as if it gained such color through the blood of his enemies, made everyone respect and fear him, be it commoner or noble.
However, there were always exceptions as, once again, no sign of mother by his side. She would usually never attend official matters, and even in my past life she did not visit me once when I was sick.
"It is good to see you healthy, Anne." The second of my four brothers, Argus van Aryalis, greets me, walking over to my bedside table and placing fresh roses in the jar that had been empty until today.
We all share the same blood, naturally we also share the same traits of having scarlet hair and sapphire eyes, the only exception being the bastard twins that have only inherited one of said traits, but remain hidden by both father and mother. I am sure only I know about them, even though I'm not supposed to...
And yet. Although we are family, only Argus has come to greet me, only he shows a genuine worried expression while the rest is here merely by obligation. Even he has no choice, he is a gentle giant, the tallest of us all and the one with the biggest heart... it is already part of his personality.
Julius, Duncan and Regulus, none bats an eye upon seeing me. They merely wander their sight, attempting to ignore me, their little sister, as much as possible.
"I have to be. I cannot be a hindrance to father or my dear brothers." My answer couldn't be any more fake, I am sure Argus also understood, but I hope he knows I am telling the truth when I call him my dear brother.
"At least you are aware of it."
Julius smirks with an ego that is double of his height, both Duncan and Regulus agreeing silently.
Obviously, father does nothing as always, letting them speak without concern of consequences. Until, eventually, he stops his future successor to let him talk.
"How do you feel, Anneliese? Any differences? Do you still remember everything?"
His questions seem oddly specific, making me wonder what he will ask next. My behavior must be strange to him... the hurricane of the family, full of energy, now is suddenly calm and composed after an unknown disease... Perhaps the current me even scares him.
Regardless, in order to be good I will have to behave properly, there is no way around it. "There are some things that seem out of place, as if they only started existing now. Besides that, I am all right, father."
"Is that so — then, you might be able to remember my next words." He extends his right hand, making the motion legally known as
It is something silly, but it has always worked, somehow.
"My sons, I apologize for bringing you all together, but this is something everyone must listen." Naturally, he is disregarding my presence and condition.
"In three days, on the Sixtieth day of the Second Equinox, I will start a competition to decide who will be my true successor. You will compete both academically and physically in a spar."
Brother Argus clenches his fist, some more and he would start bleeding, however he cannot do such thing, it would be unsightly. We both know it, but he still seems to be troubled.
In my past life there was something that made him abdicate from the throne, but I was never able to find out what. Is Argus going to...?
"Father—"
"Anneliese."
"Yes, your Highness." Instinctively, I bow my head and answer his call, cutting off my brother's speech.
"You will study to enter the political world. Your decisions may have a change in our kingdom, so you must study as much as you can to not shame our family. Unless you have other plans?"
"No, Your Highness. Being able to decide the future by your side is enough honor for me."
I may be blindingly accepting this agreement, but deep down in me, I am still denying a lot of things... Is this really what I want to achieve...?
I have been wondering what it meant to be a good and righteous princess, but is just letting others decide my own life for me the right thing to do? It just does not feel right...
"Father! I have a question to make." Argus stands now loudly, gathering everyone's attention.
"If it is about your sister, remember that she will be doing it of her own accord."
"I know that father. I wish to ask you, if I would be needed to attend this event."
Father keeps his expression transparent, easily letting his mild anger surface in his face.
"Of course you are needed, you are one of the candidates. I will not take a 'no' for an answer."
"Then..." I am sure everyone noticed how nervous brother was, even father himself. Everyone, Marina included, knew that he was about to say a nonsense that would anger the King. "...Please take my name away from your successors. I do not wish such title—"
It was an instant. The king had become mad with rage, raising his hand so fast that not even wind could dream to stop it. Brother was already on the floor, bleeding from the forehead before we could see it become a fist.
"You insolent son! I have given you everything just for you to leave your family and duties behind!?"
It pains me, seeing the one who truly cared about me on the ground. He was the only one to bring me flowers because he was genuinely worried.
If I turn my head away now, I would not be able to forgive myself, neither will he be able to forgive me, I am sure.
My promise was to become good, not bother anyone and just do as I am told, truly become a good, maybe even doll-like princess, but such behavior feels impossible for me.
Something feels wrong, telling me that I cannot abandon him at this crucial time.
"Father, is it really such a problem he resigns?" I could feel his anger turn to me as soon as my voice reached his eardrums.
"He is essentially saying he does not wish to become my son! How do you think I feel!?"
"But he would not... He would just give up on the throne, you would still be linked by family."
"Do not talk to me as if you understand everything!"
My mouth has just been yapping randomly, perhaps some remains of my past behavior where I did not care about consequences.
I could feel his broad hand reach my face, his strength being the fruit of blinded anger.
The first time he has ever touched my cheek was to hit me instead of caressing it.
A loud ringing noise surges in my ears, my vision becoming more desaturated as the seconds pass. In fact, it was as if I was losing sight progressively. The burning sensation of the mark left on my skin seemed to sting more as he raised his hand again.
"Just like none leaves family, none leaves their duty! You ought to know that by now!"
"I apologize, fath...!"
My words of apology came out on their own, instinctively as his hand approaches my face once again.
I could not think straight any longer, if I was hit once again I would be knocked unconscious, I am sure.
Thankfully, the door suddenly opening as if it was made of paper alerted everyone.
I was merely able to look through the bangs of my long ruined hair that already covered my eyes.
The only option I had was to cry, let the tears flow out of this fragile and small body that nothing could do against those with power.
However, even within those countless tears I was able to see it.
A gentleman rushed through the extremely heavy door, opening it with ease and interrupting the situation as a whole.
"What is happening here!?"